Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.

News

 
 
Vatuvei into All Stars

Vatuvei into All Stars

01/29/2010 01:56:41 AM

Manu Vatuvei is 'blown away' at being the New Zealand Warriors' representative in the first-ever NRL All Stars team that will take on the NRL Indigenous All Stars on February 13.

The 23-year-old Kiwis wing joins some of the game's biggest names in the season-launching clash at Skilled Park in Robina.

After a public vote, Vatuvei was given the nod ahead of Micheal Luck, Simon Mannering and Sam Rapira for the club's spot in the squad.

It's an awesome honour to make the team," said Vatuvei on Friday.

"I'm blown away to think I'll be playing alongside all those great players.

It's exciting and I can't wait to get together with Wayne [Bennett] and all the boys named."

Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said it was a wonderful achievement for Vatuvei, who has proven himself as one of the most destructive wings in the game.

"He has achieved so much in recent years and is hugely popular with fans not just at the Vodafone Warriors but everywhere," he said.

"It's fantastic for Manu to be acknowledged in this way and it's a tremendous moment for the game at large to have a game like this."

Vatuvei will have some New Zealand company in the side with World Cup team-mates Benji Marshall and Adam Blair, but the other 17 players in the 20-man squad have all been opponents at international and club level.

Bennett named Vatuvei to start on the left wing in the playing line-up, linking up with a backline filled to the brim with quality.

With Marshall and Australian captain Darren Lockyer in the halves, to the centres Michael Jennings and Matt Cooper, right winger Israel Folau and fullback Billy Slater, it is a backline to be wary of.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne was named on the bench after keeping out Kiwi prop Fuifui Moimoi in the public vote.

With Blair and Smith automatic selections as vice-captains of their national sides, the Melbourne Storm have three players in the line-up.

Blair's named with his Storm team-mate Smith at hooker and South Sydney's new recruit Dave Taylor in the starting front row. The back rowers are Manly's Anthony Watmough, Ellis and Luke O'Donnell (North Queensland).

The seven players on the bench are: Kurt Gidley (Newcastle), Anthony Tupou (Cronulla), Nate Myles (Sydney Roosters), Anthony Tupou (Cronulla), Luke Bailey (Gold Coast), Josh Morris (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) and Hayne.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

You Might Also Like

 
 
Vatuvei in All Stars team
Vatuvei in All Stars team
League
Giant Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei has been selected alongside fan favourite Paul Gallen ...
 
 
 
 
Play AFL Fantasy 2012
Sign up now!
AFL
AFL fantasy for 2012 is now live! To be a part of the action, sign up for Sportal's
 
 
 
 

Fantasy NRL: Most Popular Players

 
 

Our Say

 
 
NSW faced with tough call on Tahu
Adam Lucius
Depending on which side of the divide you sit, Timana Tahu is either a highly-principled ...more
Preview: Indigenous All Stars v NRL All Stars
Adam Lucius
This one comes down to one side with a sensational forward pack against a team with a ...more
 

Galleries

 
 
Photos of the Week
28/11/2011 3:33:38 PM
The golf season is getting into full swing; A League is continuing plus heaps more. So take a break from work and look thought the photo gallery of the week’s best sporting action.
The Weekend Sporting Action
18/10/2011 2:21:08 PM
The sport never slows down around the world. Check out the latest action from the weekend.